Open Library
The Private Life of Don Juan
Publication date 1934
Usage Public Domain
Publisher
London Film Productions
In his last film role, Douglas Fairbanks as an ageing legendary lady-killer Don Juan.
It is set in Seville, Spain in centuries past, where once a young Don Juan caused ladies to swoon and jealous husbands to challenge him to a duel.
After 20 years absence, he returns as a middle-aged married man feeling trapped by marriage and tempted to re-visit his old haunts.
As it often happens with legends, however, the Don Juan of the past has become far greater and more wonderful in women's minds than he ever was, especially when a young imitator is killed (by a jealous husband) and mistaken for Don Juan.
Then a book entitled 'the Private Life of Don Juan' is published and read by swooning women, and the whole thing is reminiscent of our real larger-than-life legends such as Elvis. And as with Elvis, whom we prefer to remember as young, slim and handsome, so Don Juan lives in women's minds so that the real middle-aged Don Juan is treated like a kindly father-figure by young women - much to his dismay!
It is set in Seville, Spain in centuries past, where once a young Don Juan caused ladies to swoon and jealous husbands to challenge him to a duel.
After 20 years absence, he returns as a middle-aged married man feeling trapped by marriage and tempted to re-visit his old haunts.
As it often happens with legends, however, the Don Juan of the past has become far greater and more wonderful in women's minds than he ever was, especially when a young imitator is killed (by a jealous husband) and mistaken for Don Juan.
Then a book entitled 'the Private Life of Don Juan' is published and read by swooning women, and the whole thing is reminiscent of our real larger-than-life legends such as Elvis. And as with Elvis, whom we prefer to remember as young, slim and handsome, so Don Juan lives in women's minds so that the real middle-aged Don Juan is treated like a kindly father-figure by young women - much to his dismay!
Contact Information
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Reviews
Reviewer:
Big Boomer
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favoritefavoritefavoritefavorite -
July 23, 2017
Subject: Nice Parody
Subject: Nice Parody
Douglas Fairbanks' last screen role is a broad parody of himself as a swashbuckling lover who has entered middle age and must come to grips with reality.
"Every woman wants more than a husband. She wants Don Juan. But she wants him all to herself!"
Fairbanks was in his mid-fifties when he made this film and only survived five years after its release.
Very nice performance by the English/Indian actor, Merle Oberon who briefly plays Don Juan's juvenile love interest, Antonita.
One odd observation is that except for Fairbanks every other actor who does not wear a hat has a long snood. Maybe that was a style of the period?
"Every woman wants more than a husband. She wants Don Juan. But she wants him all to herself!"
Fairbanks was in his mid-fifties when he made this film and only survived five years after its release.
Very nice performance by the English/Indian actor, Merle Oberon who briefly plays Don Juan's juvenile love interest, Antonita.
One odd observation is that except for Fairbanks every other actor who does not wear a hat has a long snood. Maybe that was a style of the period?
